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Internationally Recognised Governing Body of Inline & Roller Racing in Great Britain |
Affiliated to FIRS (Fed. of International Roller Skating), CERS (Confédération of European Roller Skating), CEC (Comité European De Course) |
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2006 Chairman's Report Well, I am pleased to say that in 2006 we have continued to show progression. Our membership again increased and we saw the largest number of entrants to a single event in nearly 30 years! New clubs have also sprung up around the country. Amongst them we have Ashbourne in Derbyshire as well as YMCA in the Lancashire area. Whilst we could always do with more clubs the welcome inclusion of Ashbourne and YMCA helps to give credence to the fact that we are indeed becoming a national Federation. This year we also had more race events than we have seen in a long time. In all twenty dates were used to hold domestic events throughout 2006. A far cry from the seven we had just three years ago. As we progress we need to recognize that if our aim is, as it should be, to make the sport grow and be more accessible to all areas of the UK we are likely to see race entries becoming more regional with the emphasis on mass participation being our national championships and sponsored events. We may be a way off this yet on a large scale but with FISS now spreading it’s wings as it were, we are beginning to see more evidence of localised competitions. We must therefore be prepared to accept that if we want to become a truly “national” federation it is something we have to now plan for and deal with. As a nation we again continued to support the major international championships. We had representatives at cadet, junior and senior level in the European Championships and again at senior level in the World Championships. In the cadets and juniors James Ashby, Matt Price and Robert McDonald once more represented Great Britain. Gavin did, however, recover in time for the World Championships and the trio were joined by Doon Yuen in Anyang, Korea. This time it was Chris Stafford who was the recipient of bad luck. A few days into the competition Chris was called home to England for personal reasons with the full support and understanding of FISS. Again, Vincent was our highest placed skater. This year we had some financial support from the organisers of the World Championships towards the cost of sending a British team. Whilst we were extremely grateful for this we should not forget that on the whole these skaters, juniors and seniors alike, along with the supporting management team continue to fund themselves with regards to travel and accommodation. On behalf of FISS I would like to thank them all for their efforts and support. I would also like to thank John E. Fry for taking on the role as President of the umbrella body the British Roller Sports Federation for the past two years. John's position is up for re-election in January and his wealth of experience, knowledge and dedication has ensured that FISS's term of office at the helm has meant progression for all roller sports and not just speed. John has gratefully been helped along the way by another FISS member, Dave Nicholls, who has now taken on a key role in the coaching structure for the BRSF. On behalf of FISS and it's members I would like to say a special "thank you" to Sue Morrison who for the last eight years has been the focal point of FISS in her role as Secretary. Sue has now decided to step down from this position and we sincerely wish her well for the future. Sue's departure means that FISS have since appointed a new Secretary, Cherie Pickup. I would like to therefore formally welcome Cherie who as one of our newest members has the full backing and support of the FISS Committee. Finally I would like to thank all members for their support, and wish you all the very best for 2007. Alan Moore
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You may remember that my parting statement in last year's report was “The future of our sport is in all of our hands, we just need to get on and make it happen”.
